Itinerary · Taiwan
How Many Days in Kaohsiung? A 4-Day Route and How to Get Around
Ride the MRT in from the airport, then the Love River, Pier-2, Cijin Island, Lotus Pond, Fo Guang Shan and a Tainan day trip: Kaohsiung in 4 days, day by day.
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How many days in Kaohsiung: the 4-day big picture
Kaohsiung fits well into 3 to 4 days. The airport is close to town and linked by MRT, so you lose little time on day one. This route follows the guide's own 4-day plan.
Day 1 is the Dome of Light at Formosa Boulevard, the Love River and Liuhe Night Market; Day 2 is Pier-2, Cijin Island and the former British consulate; Day 3 is the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum and Ruifeng Night Market; Day 4 is a high-speed rail day trip to Tainan, or city shopping before your flight.
For a first visit, stay around Formosa Boulevard, where both MRT lines meet, Liuhe Night Market is close and there are plenty of hotels. If you like evening riverside walks, the Love River and Yancheng area is within walking distance of Pier-2; if you plan to ride the high-speed rail to Tainan, Zuoying (the HSR station area) is close to Lotus Pond. Zuoying is a bit far from the center, and Sizihwan and Hamasen have fewer hotels and suit daytime visits.
Day 1: Airport MRT, Dome of Light, Love River, Liuhe Night Market
Kaohsiung International Airport station sits right by the terminal (KHH), and the MRT Red Line runs straight to Formosa Boulevard in the center with no change. Buy a transit card (iPASS or EasyCard) at the airport station and one card covers the MRT, light rail, buses, ferry and YouBike for all 4 days.
At Formosa Boulevard, start with the Dome of Light, a huge stained-glass artwork covering the station ceiling. It is inside the station, so there is no separate ticket. No eating or drinking, even water, is allowed in MRT stations or on trains, so finish drinks outside.
After dark, head to the Love River for a walk along the lit banks or a short boat ride. For dinner, Liuhe Night Market is close to Formosa Boulevard: try oyster omelets, fried chicken cutlets and Taiwanese sausages in small portions at about NT$50-100 each. Night markets are often cash only.
- MRT Red Line: about 15-20 min to Formosa Boulevard, about NT$30-40
- Taxi or ride-hailing app: about 20-30 min to the city, about NT$250-400; handy with luggage or late at night, and use the official airport taxi rank for taxis
Day 2: Light rail to Pier-2, ferry to Cijin, sunset at the consulate
In the morning, take the Circular Light Rail to Pier-2 Art Center. The tram loops past harbor-side sights such as Pier-2 and the Love River area, and the views make the ride part of the trip. Pier-2 is a set of old harbor warehouses turned into galleries, workshops and cafes, with murals and installations everywhere.
Next, take the boat from the Gushan ferry pier to Cijin Island. It is a few minutes across and transit cards work. For lunch, pick clams, prawns and fish to be cooked on Cijin's seafood street; many places price by weight, so confirm before ordering. The island also has a beach promenade and a lighthouse.
Around sunset, go to the Former British Consulate at Takao, a red-brick hilltop building overlooking the sea and great at sunset over Sizihwan. Check official information for tickets and hours. If you would rather watch the sunset from Cijin, stay longer on the island instead. Shared YouBikes are also great along the river and harbor.
Day 3: Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, Fo Guang Shan, Ruifeng Night Market
Start the morning at the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas on Lotus Pond, twin lakeside pagodas where you walk in through the dragon's mouth and out through the tiger's. They are free to visit. Lotus Pond is close to Zuoying, where the high-speed rail station is.
In the afternoon, visit Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, a vast Buddhist complex with a giant Buddha and pagodas, about an hour by bus from the city. Allow half a day. It is closed on Tuesdays, so check official information for opening days.
End at Ruifeng Night Market, a big, local-favorite market full of snacks and games. It is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays. If this day falls on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, swap it with another day.
Day 4: Tainan day trip, or city shopping before your flight
On the last day, pick one of two options. With a full day free, take the high-speed rail from Zuoying to Tainan for a day of old streets and temples. Zuoying is home to the high-speed rail station for Tainan and Taipei.
If your departure day is tight, shop in the city and then head to the airport. The Red Line links Formosa Boulevard and the airport with no change, so it is easy even with luggage.
With only 3 days, keep Day 1 and Day 2 as they are, then on the last day fit in either the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas or Fo Guang Shan before the airport. Fo Guang Shan needs half a day, so if time is short the free pagodas are the easier choice.
Getting around and budget
The MRT has two lines, Red and Orange, crossing at Formosa Boulevard. Use the Circular Light Rail for the harbor side, the ferry for Cijin and YouBike along the river and harbor. Metered taxis are reasonably priced. Transit cards are sold at MRT stations and convenience stores and also work for small purchases.
Per person per day, budget about NT$1,300-1,800 with a guesthouse, night markets and the MRT, about NT$3,000-4,000 with a city hotel and restaurant meals, and about NT$7,000+ with an upscale hotel, seafood feasts and taxis.
Night markets and small eateries are often cash only, so carry Taiwan dollars; convenience store ATMs accept foreign cards. There is no tipping, though some restaurants add a 10% service charge.
- Papaya milk: about NT$60-90 a cup
- Night market snacks: about NT$50-100 each
- Beef noodle soup: about NT$150-250 a bowl
- Mango shaved ice: about NT$150-250 a bowl
When to go, and before you leave
The guide names October-March as the best time, with little rain and plenty of sun, and winters stay mild. Central Weather Administration (CWA), Taiwan normals for Kaohsiung station (1991–2020) show 18-53 mm of rain a month from October to March, and January highs of 24°C with lows of 16°C.
May-September is hot with frequent showers. Monthly rainfall in that stretch is 202-512 mm, and of these months August is the wettest at 512 mm. July highs are 33°C with lows of 27°C. Typhoons are possible from summer into autumn, and many shops close and sights are crowded over Lunar New Year.
Entry rules, including visa-free stays, can change, so check official Taiwan government information before you travel. Complete the online Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) on the official site (twac.immigration.gov.tw) within 3 days before arrival. It is free, so avoid lookalike sites that charge fees.
- The sun is strong: bring a hat and sunscreen
- Pack a small umbrella for sudden showers
- Bring a light layer for strong indoor air conditioning
Plan your Kaohsiung trip
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FAQ
How many days do I need in Kaohsiung?
The guide suggests 3 to 4 days. With 4 days you can cover the city, Cijin Island, Lotus Pond and Fo Guang Shan, plus a high-speed rail day trip to Tainan.
How do I get from the airport to the city?
Take the MRT Red Line from Kaohsiung International Airport station straight to Formosa Boulevard with no change: about 15-20 minutes and about NT$30-40. With lots of luggage, take a taxi from the official airport taxi rank.
Are there any days of the week to watch out for?
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum is closed on Tuesdays, and Ruifeng Night Market is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays. Plan Day 3, which includes both, around those days.
When is the best time to go?
The guide names October-March as the best time. Normals show 18-53 mm of rain a month in that period. Many shops close over Lunar New Year.
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ⓘ Photo credits
- Taipei 101 and Xinyi seen from Elephant Mountain · Gregg Tavares from Stanton, California / CC BY 2.0